Sealed container construction



NOV. 12, 1935. B, b

SEALED CONTAINER coNsTRUcTIbN 7 Original Filed April 15, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR gang/Z. 172W.

WM, M ATTORfiEYJ' Nov. 12, 1935. I H. B. RUDD 2,020,329

SEALED CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Original Filed April 15, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 2 26a" 26 I 27a 37 i 30 INVENTOR Iazzyflfiadd. BY

fizz-mplwd r M ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 12, 1935.

UNITED STATES 2,020,329 SEALED CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Harry B. Rudd, New. York, N. Y., assignor to Rudd Patents Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application April 15, 1930, Serial No. 444,464 Renewed, November 9, 1934 3 Claims. 01. 220-3) My invention relates to containers particularly such as are utilizable in systems for liquefying and gasifying solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide or other material exhibiting similar properties.

My invention has further reference to novel container or casing constructions and particularly to novel arrangements for manipulating a closure member for and with respect to such a container or casing.

Variousother advantages, objects and characteristics of my invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

My invention resides in the containers, novel container sealing methods, features of construction and combinations of parts of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

The subject matter disclosed but not specifically claimed herein is claimed in copending application Serial No. 36,587, filed Aug. 16, 1935, for Sealed container constructions.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of some of the forms thereof, reference is to be 'had to the accompanying draw-,

ings, in which:

' Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a container constructedin accordance with my invention and showing an associated device;

FxFigl. 2 is a plan view of the container shown in Fig. 3 is a plan view of another form tainer;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the container shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4a is an enlarged fragmentary view of the closure plate of Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of still another form of my container; I

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the container shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is. a plan view of still another form .of container; v Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the container shown in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of still another form of container. V

In general, my invention relates to novel container constructions adapted to receive liquidand gas-forming solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide and so'deflnecl in a generic sense hereinafter. Particularly, in accordance with my invention, the gas liberated from solid or semi-solid of conmaterial, as aforesaid, is utilized for applying pressure to a container closure plate whereby said container is sealed.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, i represents a casing or container of any suitable size, shape or con figuration. As herein illustrated although not 5 necessarily, the container I is of the character commercially utilized for the storage or transportation of carbon dioxide gaseous or liquid materlal.

As shown in Fig. I, the container l per se is 10 open at its top and the upper surface thereof carries a member 2, such as a ring which has an eccentric opening adapting it to be threaded or otherwise suitably secured to said container I.

Upstanding from the member 2 and threaded or otherwise suitably secured thereto is a supplementary casing or container 3, the top wall 4 of which has formed therein an opening 5 preferably circular and disposed, preferably, substantially in alinement with the opening in the casing I, said opening 5, therefore, being eccentric with respect to the aforesaid wall 4. a

The aforesaid opening 5 is adapted to be closed by a plate or member 6 disposed interiorly of the supplementary casing 3 and coactable with the lower surface of the wall 4. The plate 6 may carry a. handle I and, in suitable manner, it may suitably be prevented from dropping any great distance, as by the provision of a chain 8 or the like which is secured to said plate 6 and to an interior surface of the supplementary casing 3.

The upper surface of the plate 6 may coact with the plane lower surface of the top wall 4 but preferably, in accordance with my invention, the lower surface of said top wall 4 comprises a circumferentially complete depending flange or lip 4a which is adapted to extend into a groove or channel 6a formed in the upper surface of the plate 6 and similar in contour to that of the flange 4a. Ordinarily, it is desirable that a suitable gasket 9 be disposed at the bottom of the aforesaid channel Ba, Fig.1.

With the cover 6 hanging in the supplementary casing 3 as indicated by the broken lines in Figs. 1 and 2, one or more blocks or masses I of solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide may be passed through the opening 5 and then into the container I. The handle I may now be grasped and the plate 6 moved, into the position shown by the full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, the flange 4a entering the channel 6a and seating against the gasket 9. By manual action, the plate 6 should thus be retained in closing position for a few moments or greater length of time. Y

It is well understood that carbon dioxide, when in solid or semi-solid form, is in unstable equilibrium and that carbon dioxide gas evolves therefrom. It results, therefore, upon disposal of the plate 6 in closing position as described above, that the gas evolved from the blocks I is entrapped and that the gas pressure within the combined container structure increases at a rapid rate. As a result and as will readily be understood, the plate 6 is positively held or retained, by gas pressure action, in closed position as shown in Fig. 1 and as the gas pressure within the combined containers increases to greater and greater extent, the plate 6 is firmly held in the position illustrated, the cover flange 4a in conjunction with the gasket 9 positively closing and sealing the interior of said combined container structure from the atmosphere.

As hereinbefore stated, the ring 2 may be threaded to the casing I, said ring 2, in turn, hav-. ing a supplementary casing 3 threaded thereto. Where separate members are thus utilized, it is desirable that metallic layers I0 and I I be welded or otherwise suitably formed over the respective areas directly bounding the threaded connections. As will readily be understood, a welded arrangement of the character just described strengthens the joints and more effectually seals the combined container structure. I

Due to the eccentric relation of the casing I with respect to the ring 2 and further due to the somewhat similar eccentric relation of the opening 5 with respect to the top walll of casing 3, it results that there exists, in the supplementary casing 3, a space which is at one side of the direct passage into the casing I by way of the opening 5. An arrangement of this character is particularly desirable because enabling the plate 6 to hang or to be supported outside of the passage leading into the container I and, accordingly the diameter of the opening 5 or that of the casing I are the only factors limiting the size of the solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide blocks I which are to be introduced into said casing I.

Although the relation between the opening 5 and the plate 5 may be such, as explained in connection with the forms of my invention hereinafter to be described, that said plate 6 may be passed through the opening 5, it is desirable, under some circumstances, that the aforesaid relation be such as to render impossible the passage of said plate 6 through the opening 5. This condition is true with the form of my invention disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 because the opening 5 is circular and the plate 6, likewise, is circular and of greater diameter than said opening 5.

The liquid and carbon dioxide obtained in the container I as a result of change in phase of the blocks I may be utilized, for example, as described more particularly in my copending applications 1 Serial No. 341,712, filed February 21, 1929, and Serial No. 373,134, filed June 24, 1929, these applications having matured into U. 8. Letters Patents No. 1,855,313 and No. 1,785,326, respectively. As herein generally illustrated, a valve structure I2 of a character well known to the art is interposed in a conduit I3 leading to a device D, the liquid carbon dioxide traversing the conduit I3 and passing to said device D where it is returnedto the solid or semi-solid phase. The device D may be of any suitable character for accomplishing this purpose and, in the example illustrated, corresponds generally with the construction disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 320,060, filed November 1'7, 1928, this application having matured.

into U. S. Letters Patent 1,920,526. When constructed as disclosed in said last named applicacarbon dioxide is formed in the chamber I5, a

member I1 may be actuated to release the cap I 4 whereupon the latter maybe swung on its pivot to open said chamber I5.

Ordinarily, the gaseous carbon dioxide formed in the-combined container structure I and 3 is utilized for carbonating purposes, said gaseous carbon dioxide passing, preferably, from the container 3 through a suitable valve structure I8 and then, by way of a suitable conduit I9 passing into the carbonating tank.

Ordinarily, with a system of the character. described, it is desirable that the container I be provided with an additional valve structure 20 near the bottom thereof, said last named valve structure being manually operable to vent the container I after utilization of the material therein, such venting action reducing any existing pressure interiorly of the container sufiiciently to permit the cover 6 to drop or to readily be moved to the position shown by the broken lines of Fig. 1.

For the sake of simplicity, cheapness of construction, and high operating efliciency, it is often desirable that there be utilized a container construction wherein the container closure plate is removable from the interior of the container when it becomes necessary to replenish the supply of solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide. In order to clearly explain the phase of my invention, I have shown in Figs. 3-8 a number of suitable arrangements for practicing the same.

Thus, in Figs. 3 and 4.1 have shown a tubular container or casing 25 having a top wall 26 in which there is formed an opening 26a of oval, elliptical or other similar configuration.

The opening 26a is adapted to be closed by a plate or member 21 preferably having a suitable handle 28 and, preferably, a chain or the like 29 of substantial length is connected to the top of said plate 21 and to the exterior of the container 25.

The plate 21 is oval, elliptical or otherwise in tioal surface 21b, the section of the plate 21 defined by the vertical surface 21b freely entering the opening 26a. Before the plate 21 is placed in container-closing position, a suitable gasket 30 is disposed around the vertical plate surface 21b. As with the form of my invention h'ereinbefore described, the closure olate 21 closes and tainer 25 from the solid or semi-solid carbon 75 Fig. 4.

plate 21 to dioxide. This relation of the parts is shown in After exhaustion of the supply of carbon dioxide in the-container 25 and after the pressure therein has become substantially of atmospheric value, the plate 21 either drops from the opening 26a and is supported by the chain 29, or it may be removed from said opening 26a and passed downwardly into the container in response to the application of manual pressure. When this pressure condition obtains interiorly of the container 25, the plate 21 while held in said container 25 by the handle 28, or equivalent, may

be brought to such position that the plate major axis; is disposed at an angle of approximately ninety degrees, or somewhot more or less, with respgect to the major axis of the opening 26a.

This may be done by rotating the plate 21 through an angle of approximately ninety degrees, or somewhat more or less, from the position assunied thereby when in container-closing position. 'I'hereupon, the plate 21 may be removed from the interior of the container 25 by edgewise movement thereof through the opening 26a.

After a new supply of solid or semi-solid carbon didxide has been introduced into the container 25; theplate 21, preferably having a new gasket thereon, may be reintroduced into said container 25} by edgewise passage thereof through the opening 26a whereupon said plate 21 may be brought into container-closing position and so held until suflicient gas has been evolved to hold the same in the position shown in Fig. 4.

In Figs. 5 and 6, there is illustrated another form of my invention wherein the top wall 26 of a container 25 is provided with an opening 26b generally circular but having cut-out arcuate sections 260 at substantially diametrically opposite sides thereof, Fig. 5. Coactable with the opening 26b to.c10se the same is a plate or member 3| which corresponds in configuration with and is somewhat larger than said opening 26b. Because conforming with the opening 26b, the plate 3|, at diametrically opposite sides thereof, is formed with arcuate projections, 3|a curved in correspondence with the aforesaid cut-out sections 260 of the opening 26b.

The plate 3|, when properly positioned in container-closing position as shown in Fig. 6 contacts with and, at its periphery, completely encompasses or surrounds the opening 26b. That is, said plate 3| is so positioned that one of the arcuate projections 3|a is beneath one of the aforesaid cut-out sections 260 while the other arcuate projection 3|a is beneath the opposite cut-out section 26c. In such container-closing position,

.the plate 3| is .held by gas evolved within the container 25 and, after reduction of gas pressure to suitable extent, said plate 3| may be manipulated substantially as the hereinbefore described permit edgewise passage thereof through the opening 26b. -As will clearly appear from Fig. 5, the plate 3| is thus removable from the container 25 when so positioned that one of the arcuate projections 3 |a is substantially at the top thereof while the other arcuate projection 3 la is substantially at the bottom thereof.

In Figs. '7 and 8, I have illustrated another form of my invention wherein the container top plate 26 is provided with an opening 26d substantially square in configuration, the corners thereof, however, preferably'being rounded or curved as shown in Fig. 7 Coactable with the lower surface of the container top wall 26 to close the opening 26d is a plate or member 32 which likewise is substantially rectangular and otherwise of a configuration in correspondence with the aforesaid opening 26d. As will clearly appear from Fig. '7, the plate 32 may be positioned di- 5 stood, however, that my invention is not to be 15 limited in this respect since this arrangement may be otherwise if desired. For example, it may be desirable to utilize the flange or lip construction of Fig. 1 with any or all of arrangements shown in Figs. 3-8.

As regards those forms of my invention illustrated in Figs. 3-8 a highly important feature resides in the fact that the side wall and top flange of each of the various casings or containers are seamless. It shall be distinctly understood, 25 however, that the closure arrangements of Figs. 3-8 are not. to be limited to utilization with containers of the character just described. I

An important feature of my invention resides in the arrangements shown herein and involving 30 themontainer top walls 4- and 26. As will be noted, the wall 4 is an integral part of the casing 3 and the wall 26 is an integral part of the container 25. It is in these top walls that'the openings for the respective casings are formed and, therefore, in accordance with one important phase of my invention, the respective closure plates coact directly with an integral part of the container or casing and not with a ring formed separately therefrom although, in some 40 respects, my invention is adapted for use with arrangements as last described.

In Fig. 9, I have illustrated a container or casing 35 which has legs or other supporting members 36 welded or otherwise suitably secured 45 thereto whereby said casing 35, in upright relation, is held a suitable distance above a supporting surface.

As shown herein, the casing 35 is the usual storage vessel for liquid and gaseous carbon di- 50 ing such as disclosed in Figs. 3-8, for example, 55

such opening being sealed by a suitable closure plate as herein disclosed, if desired. The usual upper opening of the container 35 is now disposed at the bottom thereof and, if desired, such opening may be connected to the valve structure l2 and conduit It, the latter leading to the device D, the container wall structure being drilled for connection to the other valve structures. It shall be understood, as regards the form of my invention shown in'Fig. 9. that containers of other character with other types of closing arrangements may be utilized. 5

By general illustration on the drawings, I have indicated in Figs. 3-9 a carbon dioxide dispensing 70 or utilizing system of the same character as described in connection with Fig. 1 the liquid carbon dioxide to pass to a suitable device D and the gaseous carbon dioxide to pass to a suitable carbonating tank, a venting arrangement also bepreferred application of all forms of my invention although, as regards the novel features herein disclosed, my invention is not to be limited to any particular system for utilizing the liquid and/or gaseous carbon dioxide.

With all forms of my invention herein described, the provision of a venting valve structure 20 is important. This is true because, or-

dinarily, the pressure interiorly of any of the liquefying containersw remains slightly above atmospheric pressure after exhaustion of the supply of liquid carbon dioxide for thedevice D and the supply of carbon dioxide gas for the carbonating apparatus. However, when the valve structure 20 is operated, the pressure within the associated container may quickly be brought to atmospheric value, or substantially so, so that the container closure plate either drops from the container opening or may readily be removed from such opening. As regards all of the herein disclosed valve structures, it shall be understood that they may be of any suitable character such, for example, as are well known to the art.

It shall be distinctly understood that the blocks or cakes of solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide to be inserted in any of the liquefying containers may be of any suitable size or configuration.

It shall be understood that containers of the character herein described may be arranged in pairs and alternately used as more particularly described in my copending application Serial No. 341,712, filed February 21, 1929, this application having matured into U. S. Letters Patent 1,855,313.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain particular preferred examples which give satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from. the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, a.

container having side wall structure terminating 2,020,329 ing indicated. The foregoing is an ordinary and with, said top wall having an opening through which phase-changeable material is introduced into said container, said opening being generally circular and having cut-out arcuate sections at substantially diametrically opposite sides thereof, and a plate interiorly of said container for closing said opening, said plate having projections at substantially diametrically opposite sides thereof, said plate being held in closing position by pressure of the gas evolved from said phasechangeable material, said plate being removable from the interior of said container only when moved substantially edgewise through the opening in said top wall.

2. A self-sealing container for solid phase changing material comprising an elongated tubular side wall terminating at one end in a converging neck and terminating at its other end in an inwardly directed flange, said side wall, neck and flange being a seamless structure formed from a single mass of metal and said'flange being thicker than said side wall, said flange defining a filling opening of irregular shape through which phase-changeable material is adapted to be inserted into said container, and a closure plate insertable through said filling opening and engageable with the inner face of said flange to seal said opening when forced outwardly by ining of irregular shape through which phasechangeable material is adapted to be inserted into said container, and a closure plate vinsertable through said filling opening and engageable with 'the inner face of said transverse end wall to seal said opening when forced outwardly by internal gaseous pressure.

HARRY B. RUDD. 

